Remote Control for a Wireless Load Control System

ABSTRACT

A remote control for a wireless load control system, the remote control comprising: a housing having a front surface and an outer periphery defined by a length and a width; an actuator provided at the front surface of the housing; a wireless transmitter contained within the housing; and a controller contained within the housing and coupled to the wireless transmitter for causing transmission of a wireless signal in response to an actuation of the actuator, the wireless transmitter and the controller adapted to be powered by a battery contained within the housing; wherein the length and the width of the housing are slightly smaller than a length and a width of a standard opening of a faceplate, respectively, such that the outer periphery of the housing is adapted to be received within the standard opening of the faceplate when the housing and the faceplate are mounted to a vertical surface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/526,794 entitled REMOTE CONTROL FOR A WIRELESS LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM,filed Nov. 15, 2021; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/448,649 entitled REMOTE CONTROL FOR A WIRELESS LOAD CONTROLSYSTEM, filed Mar. 3, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,177,087 issued Nov. 16,2021; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/092,205,filed Apr. 6, 2016 entitled REMOTE CONTROL FOR A WIRELESS LOAD CONTROLSYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,795,014 issued Oct. 17, 2017; which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/686,118, filed Apr. 14,2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,361,790, issued Jun. 7, 2016 entitled REMOTECONTROL FOR A WIRELESS LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM; which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 13/680,310, filed Nov. 19, 2012, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,024,800, issued May 5, 2015 entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWEREDREMOTE CONTROL HAVING MULTIPLE MOUNTING MEANS, which is a continuationof U.S. application Ser. No. 12/399,126, filed Mar. 6, 2009, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,330,638, issued Dec. 11, 2012 entitled WIRELESSBATTERY-POWERED REMOTE CONTROL HAVING MULTIPLE MOUNTING MEANS; whichclaims priority from commonly-assigned U.S. Provisional Application No.61/042,421, filed Apr. 4, 2008, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wireless load control system forcontrolling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from asource of alternating-current (AC) power, and more particularly, to aremote control for a radio-frequency (RF) lighting control system thatcan be mounted in a plurality of different ways, for example, in theopening of a standard-opening faceplate, such as, a Designer-stylefaceplate.

Description of the Related Art

Control systems for controlling electrical loads, such as lights,motorized window treatments, and fans, are known. Such control systemsoften use radio-frequency (RF) transmission to provide wirelesscommunication between the control devices of the system. One example ofan RF lighting control system is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S.Pat. No. 5,905,442, issued on May 18, 1999, entitled METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND DETERMINING THE STATUS OF ELECTRICALDEVICES FROM REMOTE LOCATIONS, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

The RF lighting control system of the '442 patent includes wall-mountedload control devices (e.g., dimmers), and a plurality of remote controldevices (e.g., table-top and wall-mounted master controls), and carvisor controls. The control devices of the RF lighting control systeminclude RF antennas adapted to transmit and receive the RF communicationsignals that provide for communication between the control devices ofthe lighting control system. To prevent interference with other nearbyRF lighting control systems located in close proximity, the controldevices of the RF lighting control system stores in memory and uses anidentical house code (i.e., a house address). Each of the controldevices is also assigned a unique device address to allow for thetransmission of the RF communication signals between specific controldevices. The lighting control system also comprises signal repeaters,which help to ensure error-free communication by repeating the RFsignals to ensure that every device of the system reliably receives theRF signals.

Each of the load control devices includes a user interface and anintegral dimmer circuit for controlling the intensity of an attachedlighting load. The user interface has a pushbutton actuator forproviding on/off control of the attached lighting load and a raise/loweractuator for adjusting the intensity of the attached lighting load. Theload control devices may be programmed with a preset lighting intensitythat may be recalled later in response to an actuation of a button ofthe user interface or a received RF signal.

The table-top and wall-mounted master controls each have a plurality ofbuttons and are operable to transmit RF signals to the load controldevices to control the intensities of the lighting loads. Each of thetable-top and wall-mounted master controls may also comprise one or morevisual indicators, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for providingfeedback to a user in response to a received RF signal. The car visorcontrols may be clipped to the visor of an automobile and include threebuttons for respectively controlling the lighting loads to one of amaximum intensity, a minimum intensity (i.e., off), and a presetlighting level.

In order to mount a master control on a table top, to a wall, or to acar visor, the control system must comprise three separate controldevices (i.e., the table-top master control, the wall-mounted mastercontrol, and the car visor control). Therefore, there is a need for asingle remote control device that may be mounted on a table top, to awall, or to a car visor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a remote controlfor a wireless load control system comprises a controller, aradio-frequency transmitter coupled to the controller, a battery coupledto provide power to the controller and the radio-frequency transmitter,and a housing containing the controller, the radio-frequencytransmitter, and the battery. The housing has a length and a widthslightly smaller than the length and the width of an opening of astandard faceplate, respectively, such that the housing is adapted to bereceived within the opening of the standard faceplate.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a system forcontrolling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from anAC power source comprises a standard designer-style multi-gang faceplatehaving first and second openings of the same standard size, awall-mounted designer-style load control device mounted to an electricalwallbox provided in a wall, and a remote control device mounted to thewall immediately adjacent the electrical wallbox. The load controldevice is coupled in series electrical connection between the source andthe load for controlling the amount of power delivered to the load. Theload control device comprises a bezel having a length and a widthslightly smaller than the length and the width of the first opening ofthe faceplate, respectively. The remote control device comprises acontroller, a radio-frequency transmitter coupled to the controller, abattery adapted to provide power to the controller and theradio-frequency transmitter, and a housing containing the controller,the wireless transmitter circuit, and the battery. The housing has alength and a width slightly smaller than the length and the width of thesecond opening of the faceplate, respectively. The faceplate is mountedsuch that the bezel of the load control device is received within thefirst opening of the faceplate and the housing of the remote controldevice is adapted to be received within the second opening of thefaceplate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a system formounting a remote control for a wireless load control system comprises ahousing, a base portion, a clip assembly, and a slide-mount plate. Theremote control comprises a controller, a radio frequency transmittercoupled to the controller, and a battery adapted to provide power to thecontroller and the radio-frequency transmitter, which are all containedwithin the housing. The housing comprises a slide receiving portion, andan outer periphery having a length and a width slightly smaller than thelength and the width of an opening of a standard faceplate,respectively. The base portion has an extension adapted to be receivedin the slide-receiving portion, and has a substantially flat surface forresting on a substantially flat horizontal surface. The clip assemblycomprises a clip and a plate portion adapted to be received in theslide-receiving portion. The slide-mount plate is adapted to be receivedin the slide-receiving portion of the housing and is adapted to befastened to a substantially flat vertical surface to mount the housingto the surface, such that the periphery of the housing is sized to fitwithin the opening of the standard faceplate.

In addition, a method of mounting a remote load control device to asubstantially flat vertical surface is described herein. The methodcomprises the steps of: (1) fastening a housing of the remote loadcontrol device to the surface; and (2) attaching a faceplate to theremote load control device, where the faceplate has a standard-sizedopening having dimensions slightly larger than the dimensions of theouter periphery of the housing of the remote load control device.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a systemfor controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load froman AC power source comprises a standard designer-style multi-gangfaceplate having first and second openings of the same standard size, awall-mounted designer-style load control device mounted to an electricalwallbox provided in a wall, and a remote control device mounted to thewall immediately adjacent the electrical wallbox. The load controldevice is coupled in series electrical connection between the source andthe load for controlling the amount of power delivered to the load. Theload control device comprises a bezel having a length and a widthslightly smaller than the length and the width of the first opening ofthe faceplate, respectively. The remote control device comprises acontroller, a radio-frequency transmitter coupled to the controller, abattery adapted to provide power to the controller and theradio-frequency transmitter, and a housing containing the controller,the wireless transmitter circuit, and the battery. The housing has alength and a width slightly smaller than the length and the width of thesecond opening of the faceplate, respectively. The faceplate is mountedsuch that the bezel of the load control device is received within thefirst opening of the faceplate and the housing of the remote controldevice is adapted to be received within the second opening of thefaceplate.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention that refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simple diagram of an RF lighting control system comprising adimmer switch and a remote control;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the remote control of the lighting controlsystem of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 2B is a right-side view of the remote control of the lightingcontrol system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3A is a simplified block diagram of the dimmer switch of thelighting control system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3B is a simplified block diagram of the remote control of thelighting control system of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4A is a left-side cross-sectional view of the remote control ofFIG. 1 taken through the center of the remote control;

FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of a rear enclosure portion and aprinted circuit board of the remote control of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4C is a rear perspective view of a front enclosure portion and aplurality of buttons of the remote control of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1 including alanyard;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view and FIG. 6B is a right-side view of theremote control of FIG. 1 including a clip;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1 mounted toa base portion for supporting the remote control on a horizontalsurface;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1 mounted toa vertical surface inside an opening of a standard-sized faceplate;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1showing how a slide-receiving portion of the remote control is adaptedto receive a plate;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1showing how the slide-receiving portion is adapted to receive a plate towhich the clip of FIG. 6A is attached;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1showing how the slide-receiving portion is adapted to be mechanicallycoupled to the base portion of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1showing how the slide-receiving portion is adapted to receive aslide-mount plate so that the remote control may be mounted to avertical surface as shown in FIG. 8 ; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the remote control of FIG. 1 gangednext to a designer-style dimmer switch and mounted with a standarddesigner-style two-gang faceplate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunctionwith the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating theinvention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment that ispresently preferred, in which like numerals represent similar partsthroughout the several views of the drawings, it being understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed.

FIG. 1 is a simple diagram of an RF load control system 100 comprising aremotely-controllable load control device (e.g., a dimmer switch 110)and a remote control 120. The dimmer switch 110 is adapted to bewall-mounted in a standard electrical wallbox. The dimmer switch 110 iscoupled in series electrical connection between an AC power source 102and an electrical lighting load 104 for controlling the amount of powerdelivered to the lighting load. The dimmer switch 110 comprises afaceplate 112 and a bezel 113 received in an opening of the faceplate.Alternatively, the RF lighting control system 100 may comprise anothertype of remotely-controllable load control device, for example, aremotely-controllable electronic dimming ballast, a motor controldevice, or a motorized window treatment, such as, a roller shade or adrapery.

The dimmer switch 110 comprises a toggle actuator 114 (i.e., a controlbutton) and an intensity adjustment actuator 116 (e.g., a rockerswitch). Actuations of the toggle actuator 114 toggle, i.e., alternatelyturn off and on, the lighting load 104. The dimmer switch 110 may beprogrammed with a lighting preset intensity (i.e., a “favorite”intensity level), such that the dimmer switch is operable to control theintensity of the lighting load 104 to the preset intensity when thelighting load is turned on by an actuation of the toggle actuator 114.Actuations of an upper portion 116A or a lower portion 116B of theintensity adjustment actuator 116 respectively increase or decrease theamount of power delivered to the lighting load 104 and thus increase ordecrease the intensity of the lighting load 104.

A plurality of visual indicators 118, e.g., light-emitting diodes(LEDs), are arranged in a linear array on the left-side of the bezel113. The visual indicators 118 are illuminated to provide feedback ofthe present intensity of the lighting load 104. The dimmer switch 110illuminates one of the plurality of visual indicators 118, which isrepresentative of the present light intensity of the lighting load 104.An example of a dimmer switch having a toggle actuator 114 and anintensity adjustment actuator 116 is described in greater detail in U.S.Pat. No. 5,248,919, issued Sep. 29, 1993, entitled LIGHTING CONTROLDEVICE, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged front view and FIG. 2B is a right-side view ofthe remote control 120. The remote control 120 comprises a housing thatincludes a front enclosure portion 122 and a rear enclosure portion 124.The remote control 120 further comprises a plurality of actuators (i.e.,an on button 130, an off button 132, a raise button 134, a lower button136, and a preset button 138). The remote control 120 also comprises avisual indicator 140, which is illuminated in response to the actuationof one of the buttons 130-138. The remote control 120 transmits packets(i.e., messages) via RF signals 106 (i.e., wireless transmissions) tothe dimmer switch 110 in response to actuations of any of the actuators.A packet transmitted by the remote control 120 includes, for example, apreamble, a serial number associated with the remote control, and acommand (e.g., on, off, or preset), and comprises 72 bits. In order tomeet the standards set by the FCC, packets are transmitted such thatthere is not less than a predetermined time period between twoconsecutive packets, for example, approximately 100 msec.

During a setup procedure of the RF load control system 100, the dimmerswitch 110 is associated with one or more remote controls 120. Thedimmer switch 110 is then responsive to packets containing the serialnumber of the remote control 120 to which the dimmer switch isassociated. The dimmer switch 110 is operable to turn on and to turn offthe lighting load 104 in response to an actuation of the on button 130and the off button 132, respectively. The dimmer switch 110 is operableto control the lighting load 104 to the preset intensity in response toan actuation of the preset button 138. The dimmer switch 110 may beassociated with the remote control 120 during a manufacturing process ofthe dimmer switch and the remote control, or after installation of thedimmer switch and the remote control.

FIG. 3A is a simplified block diagram of the dimmer switch 110. Thedimmer switch 110 comprises a controllably conductive device 210 coupledin series electrical connection between the AC power source 102 and thelighting load 104 for control of the power delivered to the lightingload. The controllably conductive device 210 may comprise any suitabletype of bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as, for example, atriac, a field-effect transistor (FET) in a rectifier bridge, or twoFETs in anti-series connection. The controllably conductive device 210includes a control input coupled to a drive circuit 212. The inputprovided to the control input will render the controllably conductivedevice 210 conductive or non-conductive, which in turn controls thepower supplied to the lighting load 204.

The drive circuit 212 provides control inputs to the controllablyconductive device 210 in response to command signals from a controller214. The controller 214 may be implemented as a microcontroller, amicroprocessor, a programmable logic device (PLD), an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array(FPGA), or any suitable processing device. The controller 214 receivesinputs from the toggle actuator 114 and the intensity adjustmentactuator 116 and controls the visual indicators 118. The controller 214is also coupled to a memory 216 for storage of the preset intensity oflighting load 104 and the serial number of the remote control 120 towhich the dimmer switch 110 is associated. A power supply 218 generatesa direct-current (DC) voltage V_(CC) for powering the controller 214,the memory 216, and other low-voltage circuitry of the dimmer switch110.

A zero-crossing detector 220 determines the zero-crossings of the inputAC waveform from the AC power supply 102. A zero-crossing is defined asthe time at which the AC supply voltage transitions from positive tonegative polarity, or from negative to positive polarity, at thebeginning of each half-cycle. The controller 214 provides the controlinputs to the drive circuit 212 to operate the controllably conductivedevice 210 (i.e., to provide voltage from the AC power supply 102 to thelighting load 104) at predetermined times relative to the zero-crossingpoints of the AC waveform.

The dimmer switch 110 further comprises an RF receiver 222 and anantenna 224 for receiving the RF signals 106 from the remote control120. The controller 214 is operable to control the controllablyconductive device 210 in response to the packets received via the RFsignals 106. Examples of the antenna 224 for wall-mounted dimmerswitches, such as the dimmer switch 110, are described in greater detailin U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,103, issued Nov. 9, 1999, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/873,033, filed Jun. 21, 2006, both entitledCOMPACT RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING ANTENNA AND CONTROLDEVICE EMPLOYING SAME. The entire disclosures of both patents are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIG. 3B is a simplified block diagram of the remote control 120. Theremote control 120 comprises a controller 230, which is operable toreceive inputs from the buttons 130-138 and to control the visualindicator 140. The remote control 120 comprises a memory 232 for storageof the serial number, i.e., a unique identifier, of the remote control.For example, the serial number comprises a seven-byte number that isprogrammed into the memory 232 during manufacture of the remote control120. Two series-coupled batteries 234A, 234B provide a DC voltageV_(BATT) (e.g., 6V) for powering the controller 230, the memory 232, andother low-voltage circuitry of the remote control 120. For example, eachof the batteries 234A, 234B may comprise a 3-V lithium coin battery,such as, part number CR2016 manufactured by Energizer. Alternatively,the remote control 120 could comprise, for example, only one 3-V lithiumcoin battery, such as, part number CR2032 manufactured by Energizer.

The remote control 120 further includes an RF transmitter 236 coupled tothe controller 230 and an antenna 238, which may comprise, for example,a loop antenna. In response to an actuation of one of the on button 130,the off button 132, the raise button 134, the lower button 136, and thepreset button 138, the controller 230 causes the RF transmitter 236 totransmit a packet to the dimmer switch 110 via the RF signals 106. Aspreviously mentioned, each transmitted packet comprises a preamble, theserial number of the remote control 120, which is stored in the memory232, and a command indicative as to which of the five buttons waspressed (i.e., on, off, raise, lower, or preset). The remote control 120ensures that there are 100 msec between each transmitted packet in orderto meet the FCC standards.

Alternatively, the RF receiver 222 of the dimmer switch 110 and the RFtransmitter of the remote control 120 could both comprise RFtransceivers to allow for two-way RF communication between the remotecontrol and the dimmer switch. An example of a two-way RF lightingcontrol systems is described in greater detail in co-pending,commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/033,223, filedFeb. 19, 2008, entitled COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR A RADIO-FREQUENCYLOAD CONTROL SYSTEM, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

The lighting control system 100 provides a simple one-step configurationprocedure for associating the remote control 120 with the dimmer switch110. A user simultaneously presses and holds the on button 130 on theremote control 120 and the toggle button 114 on the dimmer switch 110 tolink the remote control 120 and the dimmer switch 110. The user maysimultaneously press and hold the off button 132 on the remote control120 and the toggle button 114 on the dimmer switch 110 to unassociatethe remote control 120 with the dimmer switch 110. The configurationprocedure for associating the remote control 120 with the dimmer switch110 is described in greater detail in co-pending commonly-assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/559,166, filed Nov. 13, 2006, entitledRADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM, the entire disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

The lighting control system may comprise a plurality of remote controls120 that can all be associated with one dimmer switch 110, such that thedimmer switch is responsive to presses of the buttons 130-138 of any ofthe plurality of remote controls. The user simply needs to repeat theassociation procedure for each of the plurality of remote controls 120.For example, up to eight remote controls 120 may be associated with onedimmer switch 110.

The preset intensity of the dimmer switch 110 may be programmed from theremote control 120. To program a new preset intensity of the dimmerswitch 110, a user first adjusts the intensity of the lighting load 104to a new (i.e., desired) intensity. The user then presses and holds thepreset button 124 of the remote control 120 to cause the dimmer switchto reassign the lighting preset to the new intensity. The procedure forprogramming the preset intensity is described in greater detail in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/713,854, filed Mar. 5, 2007, entitledMETHOD OF PROGRAMMING A LIGHTING PRESET FROM A RADIO-FREQUENCY REMOTECONTROL, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIG. 4A is a left-side cross-sectional view of the remote control 120taken through the center of the remote control as shown in FIG. 2A. Theelectrical circuitry of the remote control 120 (as shown in FIG. 3B) ismounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) 250, which is housed betweenthe front enclosure portion 122 and the rear enclosure portion 124. Thebatteries 234A, 234B are located in a battery enclosure portion 252 andare electrically coupled to the circuitry on the PCB 250. The batteryenclosure portion 252 is slidably received in the rear enclosure portion124, such that the battery enclosure portion may be pulled away from therear enclosure portion 124 to allow for replacement of the batteries234A, 234B.

FIGS. 4B and 4C show the remote control 120 in a partially-disassembledstate. Specifically, FIG. 4B is a front perspective view of the rearenclosure portion 124 and the PCB 250, and FIG. 4C is a rear perspectiveview of the front enclosure portion 122 and the buttons 130-138. The onbutton 130, the off button 132, the raise button 134, the lower button136, and preset button 138 comprise actuation posts 254 for actuatingmechanical tactile switches 256 mounted on the PCB 250. The remotecontrol 120 comprises a coil spring 260, which is positioned between thepreset button 138 and the PCB 250. The coil spring 260 operates toreturn the preset button 138 to an idle position after the button isactuated. The raise button 134 and the lower button 136 comprise edges262 that rest on the PCB 250. The raise and lower buttons 134, 136 areoperable to pivot about the edges 262 when the buttons are actuated.

The remote control 120 further comprises return springs 270 connected tothe bottom sides of the on button 130 and the off button 132 (as shownin FIG. 4C). The springs 270 each comprise square base portions 272 thatare positioned adjacent bottom sides of the on button 130 and the offbutton 132. The base portions 272 have openings for receiving thecorresponding mechanical switches 256 on the PCB 250, such that theactuations posts 254 can actuate the mechanical switches when the onbutton 130 and the off button 132 are actuated. The return springs 270comprise legs 274 that extend from the base portions 272 to contact thePCB 250 (as shown in FIG. 4A). When the on button 130 or the off button132 is pressed, the legs 274 flex allowing the button to be depressedand the respective actuation post 254 to actuate the mechanical switch256. When the respective button 130, 132 is then released, the returnspring 270 forces the button away from the PCB 250 (i.e., returns thebutton to an idle position). The springs 270 have attachment openings276 that are, for example, heat-staked to the bottom sides of the onbutton 130 and the off button 132.

As disclosed herein, the remote control 120 is adapted to providemultiple mounting means. First, the rear enclosure portion 124 comprisesan attachment post 300 (as shown in FIG. 4B) that allows a lanyard 302(or other type of cord) to be attached to the remote control as shown inFIG. 5 . Also, the rear enclosure portion 124 is adapted to be connectedto a clip 400 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, such that the remote control120 may be clipped to, for example, a sun visor of an automobile.Further, the rear enclosure portion 124 of the remote control 120 may beconnected to a base portion 500 (as shown in FIG. 7 ) to allow theremote control to rest on a substantially flat horizontal surface, suchas, a tabletop. Finally, as shown in FIG. 8 , the rear enclosure portion124 may be mounted on a substantially flat vertical surface, such as, awall, via a slide-mount plate 610 (FIG. 12 ), such that the remotecontrol 120 may be received in an opening 602 of a faceplate 600.

As shown in FIGS. 9-11 , the rear enclosure portion 124 of the remotecontrol 120 comprises a slide-receiving portion 280, which includes twoparallel flanges 290. The slide-receiving portion 280 enables the remotecontrol 120 to be coupled to the plurality of different mountingstructures (i.e., the lanyard 302, the clip 400, the base portion 500,and the slide-mount clip 610) as shown in FIGS. 5-8 .

When the front enclosure portion 122 is connected to the rear enclosureportion 124, the attachment post 300 contacts the front enclosureportion, such that a loop portion 304 of the lanyard 302 may be capturedby the attachment post (as shown in FIG. 9 ). The slide-receivingportion 280 of the rear enclosure portion 124 receives a blank plate 310when the lanyard 302 is coupled to the attachment post 300. The blankplate 310 includes two parallel slide rails 320 on opposite sides of theplate. The flanges 290 of the slide-receiving portion 280 receive theslide rails 320 to hold the blank plate 310 to the rear enclosureportion 124. The blank plate 310 provides an aesthetic feature byallowing the outer surface of the remote control 120 to have acontinuous appearance.

The slide-receiving portion 280 is also adapted to receive a clipassembly, which comprises the clip 400 and a plate portion 410, as shownin FIG. 10 . The clip 400 is rigidly connected to the plate portion 410.The plate portion 410 comprises parallel slide rails 420 adapted to bereceived by the slide-receiving portion 280. Accordingly, the remotecontrol 120 may be clipped to a car visor or similar structure.

Similarly, the base portion 500 includes a plate portion 510 havingparallel slide rails 520 adapted to be received by the slide-receivingportion 280 as shown in FIG. 11 . The base portion 500 is alsocharacterized by a substantially flat surface 530 on the bottom side ofthe base portion 500. The substantially flat surface 530 is adapted torest on a substantially flat horizontal surface, such as a tabletop,such that the remote control 120 may be provided as a tabletop device.The plate portion 510 is may be oriented at an angle to the flat bottomsurface 530, such that the remote control 120 is oriented at an anglewith respect to the tabletop when the plate portion is receiving withinthe slide-receiving portion 280.

Finally, the slide-receiving portion 280 is also adapted to coupled tothe slide-mount plate 610 as shown in FIG. 12 , such that the remotecontrol 120 may be mounted to a wall. Screws 620 are received throughattachment holes 622 of the slide-mount plate 610 and attached toanchors 624 provided in the wall. Alternatively, the slide-mount plate610 could have an adhesive on the side facing the wall for attaching theplate to the wall. An adapter 604 is attached to the wall via screws 626received through attachment holes 628 and attached to anchors 630provided in the wall. In order attach the faceplate 600 to the adapter604, the faceplate includes snaps (not shown) that are coupled to snapopenings 632 of the adapter. When the faceplate 600 is coupled to theadapter 604, the on button 130, the off button 132, the raise button134, the lower button 136, and the preset button 138 of the remotecontrol 120 are provided through and opening 606 of the adapter 604 andthe opening 602 of the faceplate. Since the rear enclosure portion 124slides onto the slide-mount plate 610 and the faceplate 600 mountsaround the housing (i.e., the front enclosure portion 122 and the rearenclosure portion 124), the remote control 120 is held in place withinthe opening 602 of the faceplate 600. The faceplate 600 and the adapter604 are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,343, issuedMay 30, 1989, entitled TWO-PIECE FACE PLATE FOR WALL BOX MOUNTED DEVICE,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.Alternatively, the faceplate 600 could comprise attachment holes, suchthat the faceplate could be adapted to be mounted (i.e., screwed)directly to the wall without the adapter 604.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the remote control120 is mounted to the wall via the slide-mount plate 610 before theadapter 604 is attached to the wall. While the remote control 120 ismounted in the opening 606 of the adapter 604, the remote control isprevented from being de-coupled from the slide-mount plate 610 by theadapter 604. Therefore, if the remote control 120 is mounted to a wallin a public space, theft of the remote control is discouraged since theremote control cannot be removed from the installation without the useof a tool (i.e., a screwdriver).

The faceplate 600 may be a standard, “off-the-shelf” faceplate, i.e.,the opening 602 defines standard dimensions. For example, the faceplate600 may comprise a designer-style faceplate defining a standard-sizedopening. Per standards set by the National Electrical ManufacturersAssociation (NEMA), the opening of a designer-style faceplate has alength of 2.630″ and a width of 1.310″ (NEMA Standards Publication No.WD6, 2001, p. 5). Accordingly, the front enclosure portion 122 and therear enclosure portion 124 are dimensioned such that the remote control120 is adapted to fit snugly within the opening 602 of the faceplate600. The outer periphery of the housing (i.e., the front enclosureportion 122 and the rear enclosure portion 124) has a length and a widthslightly smaller than the length and the width of the opening 602 of thefaceplate 600, such that the outer periphery of the housing is easilyreceived within the opening of the faceplate. For example, the remotecontrol 120 may have a length of approximately 2.605″ and a width ofapproximately 1.280″.

Further, the remote control 120 has a depth d (as shown in FIG. 2B),which is sized such that the front surface of the remote control isflush with or does not protrude very far past the front surface of thefaceplate 600. Therefore, the depth d is approximately equal to thedistance between the front surface of the faceplate 600 and the wall,e.g., less than approximately 0.5″, or specifically, equal toapproximately 0.3029″.

Accordingly, the remote control 120 may be ganged next to adesigner-style load control device (e.g., the dimmer switch 110) with astandard designer-style multi-gang faceplate (e.g., a two-gang faceplate650) as shown in FIG. 13 . The dimmer switch 110 is mounted to astandard electrical wallbox (not shown) that is provided in the wall.The remote control 120 is mounted to the wall immediately adjacent theelectrical wallbox of the dimmer switch 110. The two-gang faceplate 650has first and second designer-style openings 602A, 602B and is mountedsuch that the bezel 113 of the dimmer switch 110 is provided in thefirst opening 602A and the remote control 120 is provided in the secondopening 602B. The bezel 113 of the dimmer switch 110 has a length and awidth slightly smaller than the length and the width of the firstopening 602A of the faceplate 650.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It ispreferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by thespecific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system configured to control power deliveredfrom a power distribution source to an electrical load, the systemcomprising: a remote-control device that includes: a housing having anattachment feature disposed on an external surface of the housing; atleast one actuatable element disposed on an external surface of thehousing; radio-frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry disposed within thehousing; and a mounting assembly couplable to a vertical surface, themounting assembly including: a complimentary attachment feature toreceive the attachment feature disposed on the external surface of thehousing to couple the remote-control device to the mounting assembly;and a plurality of coupling features, each of the plurality of couplingfeatures to receive a corresponding one of a plurality of complimentarycoupling features.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: afaceplate member couplable to the mounting assembly, the plurality ofcomplimentary coupling features disposed on at least a portion of anexternal surface of the faceplate member.
 3. The system of claim 2:wherein the faceplate member includes a front surface and a rear surfaceand an aperture extending from the front surface to the rear surface ofthe faceplate member, the aperture to permit the passage of theremote-control housing.
 4. The electrical control system of claim 3wherein at least a portion of the plurality of complimentary couplingfeatures are disposed on at least a portion of the rear surface of thefaceplate member.
 5. The electrical control system of claim 3: whereinthe housing includes a front surface and a rear surface; and whereinwhen coupled to the mounting assembly, the front surface of the housingis flush with the front surface of the faceplate assembly.
 6. Theelectrical control system of claim 2 wherein the plurality ofcomplimentary coupling features includes a plurality of post members. 7.The electrical control system of claim 6 wherein the plurality ofcoupling features includes a plurality of apertures to receivecorresponding ones of the plurality of post members.
 8. The electricalcontrol system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of apertures extend atleast partially through a thickness of the mounting assembly.
 9. Theelectrical control system of claim 3: wherein the aperture formed in thefaceplate member includes a rectangular aperture having radiusedcorners; and wherein the remote-control housing comprises a rectangularhousing having radiused corners corresponding to the radiused corners ofthe faceplate member aperture.
 10. The electrical control system ofclaim 1 wherein the attachment feature comprises a groove.
 11. Theelectrical control system of claim 10 wherein the complimentaryattachment feature comprises a tongue member receivable in at least aportion of the groove.
 12. The electrical control system of claim 1:wherein the remote-control device comprises a motorized window treatmentremote control device; and wherein the at least one actuatable elementdisposed on the external surface of the housing comprises a plurality ofactuatable elements to control the position of the motorized windowtreatment.
 13. A remote-control device mounting system comprising: amounting assembly that includes: an attachment feature to receive acomplimentary attachment feature disposed on the external surface of aremote-control device housing, the attachment feature to couple theremote-control device housing to the mounting assembly; and a pluralityof coupling features, each of the plurality of coupling features toreceive a corresponding one of a plurality of complimentary couplingfeatures; and a faceplate member couplable to the mounting assembly, theplurality of complimentary coupling features disposed on at least aportion of an external surface of the faceplate member.
 14. The mountingsystem of claim 13: wherein the faceplate member includes a frontsurface and a rear surface and an aperture extending from the frontsurface to the rear surface of the faceplate member, the aperture topermit the passage of the remote-control device housing.
 15. Themounting system of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of the pluralityof complimentary coupling features are disposed on at least a portion ofthe rear surface of the faceplate member.
 16. The mounting system ofclaim 15 wherein the plurality of complimentary coupling featuresincludes a plurality of post members.
 17. The mounting system of claim16 wherein the plurality of coupling features includes a plurality ofapertures to receive corresponding ones of the plurality of postmembers.
 18. The mounting system of claim 17 wherein the plurality ofapertures extend at least partially through a thickness of the mountingassembly.
 19. The mounting system of claim 14: wherein the apertureformed in the faceplate member includes a rectangular aperture havingradiused corners; and wherein the remote-control housing comprises arectangular housing having radiused corners corresponding to theradiused corners of the faceplate member aperture.
 20. The mountingsystem of claim 13 wherein the attachment feature comprises a tonguemember.